A group of graduating seniors from Oñate High School, gathered to walk through the halls of Highland Elementary School, as the halls packed with elementary school students cheered for them, Monday May 14, 2018, Oñate High School graduation will take place Friday May 18, 2018 at the Pan American Center at New Mexico State University. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

A group of graduating seniors from Oñate High School, gathered to walk through the halls of Highland Elementary School, as the halls packed with elementary school students cheered for them, Monday May 14, 2018, Oñate High School graduation will take place Friday May 18, 2018 at the Pan American Center at New Mexico State University. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

A group of graduating seniors from Oñate High School, gathered to walk through the halls of Highland Elementary School, as the halls packed with elementary school students cheered for them, Monday May 14, 2018, Oñate High School graduation will take place Friday May 18, 2018 at the Pan American Center at New Mexico State University. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

Tia Bardwell, 18, a senior graduating from Oñate High School, high-fives Rachel Elenbaas-Turner, a kindergarten teacher at Highland Elementary School, as Oñate seniors take a celebration lap through the halls of the elementary school packed with students cheering for them, Monday May 14, 2018. Oñate High School graduation will take place Friday May 18, 2018 at the Pan American Center. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

Jenisa Tilley, 17, a graduating senior from Oñate High School, wears a mortarboard with a message as she walks through the halls of Highland Elementary following fellow Oñate High School seniors as they finish their celebration lap through halls filled with cheering elementary school students. Monday May 14, 2018. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

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Jenisa Tilley, 17, a graduating senior from Oñate High School, wears a mortarboard with a message as she walks through the halls of Highland Elementary following fellow Oñate High School seniors as they finish their celebration lap through halls filled with cheering elementary school students. Monday May 14, 2018.(Photo11: Josh Bachman/Sun-News)Buy Photo

LAS CRUCES - Wearing their mortarboards and black robes, more than 30 Oñate High graduates filed through the hallways of Highland Elementary School on Monday morning.

The seniors could have easily slept in, given that they don't have classes this week. Except for their Friday evening commencement, their high school careers are all but over.

But, as part of a Las Cruces Public Schools effort to inspire the next generation of graduates, they're visiting a series of elementary schools this week. Its the second year in a row graduating seniors have visited Highland Elementary, 4201 Emerald St., in Las Cruces.

"Really, what I think is it builds excitement for the kids to know what's coming in their future," said Christy Lewis, a recently named assistant principal at the school.

A cheerful procession

About 9 a.m., the soon-to-be graduates gathered in the school's lobby. Meanwhile, teachers and students from each grade level lined the hallways.

The graduates soon began a procession through the building. Smiling students cheered and gave high-fives to the seniors.

Among the cheerful students was Christiana Salcido, a second-grader. She said it's "surprising" that students who once attended the school were now back, this time as high school graduates.

"I feel happy for them, and I'm hoping that one day I can do that, too," she said.

Salcido's teacher noted that his students are a decade away from graduating.

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Soon-to-be graduates of Las Cruces Public Schools are visiting their former elementary schools this week in hopes of inspiring the next generation.
Las Cruces Sun-News

A sense of nostalgia

For Oñate High senior Sarah Wince, Monday's visit was a walk down memory lane because she attended Highland for elementary school. Its hallways and classrooms were readily recognizable. And some of the faces were familiar, too.

"It's great; it's just a lot of nostalgia," she said. "Some of the teachers I knew when I was here. Some are gone."

Post-graduation, Wince plants to attend New Mexico State University, where she'll pursue a degree in fine arts and graphic design.

Some of the visiting seniors didn't attend Highland Elementary School, but still wanted to participate in the event, organized by Oñate High counselor Merrilee Saige.

"For me, it was just seeing the kids and inspiring them, even though I didn't come here," said Haley Mansur, who plans to study psychology in college.

Positive role models

Lewis said low graduation rates have been a challenge in New Mexico, but the event is a small way to counter that by focusing students' mindset on graduation at an early age.

"Any chance they get to see a positive role model, it can't hurt," she said.

Johnathen Sanchez, another of the visiting graduates, said sometimes school can cause students to question whether it's worthwhile. But he was hoping to convey the message that it is.

"I just really wanted to encourage kids that all this pain and suffering of school does have its rewards," he said.

Sanchez plans to study criminal justice with an emphasis on forensics in college.

Wince said she also wanted to convey another tidbit of understanding she gleaned.

"High school isn't as scary as we thought it was," she said.

Mixed emotions

As she prepares to accept her diploma at the end of the week, Mansur said she's experiencing mixed emotions.

"It's excitement because it's finally over but it's scary because you're entering a whole new world," she said.

Highland Elementary is already is planning a bigger event for next year, possibly with music and other activities.

Oñate High's graduation ceremony is one of three that will take place Friday, May 18 at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces. It's set for 6 p.m. that day. Another three ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday.